Selectman: Baril decision 'not made lightly'

BY PATRICIA ROY SPECIAL TO THE LANDMARK

The decision not to reappoint Police Chief Joseph R. Baril Jr. was "not made lightly or without serious reflection," according to a statement read by Select Board Chairman Leroy "Skip" Clark at the selectmen's meeting Monday.

"Ultimately, I simply feel it is time to take the Rutland Police Department in a different direction. We are confident that, though it was difficult, it was the correct one for our town at this time," Clark read, before going on to thank Baril for his service and to wish him well.

In his statement, Clark noted that though Baril's term expires on June 30, 2010, his employment with the town will end on Oct. 21, 2010, giving Baril the 12-month written notice that he will not be reappointed, as required by state law.

All reappointments are done in open session since there is nothing punitive to discuss and "there was no discussion of non-reappointment at any executive session," Clark said. When the board addressed re-appointments in June, it was noted that the Police Chief's appointment was due to expire in the coming year, he said.

There were no comments from the board after the statement was read.

Chief Baril is on vacation and did not attend the meeting.

Also last night, the board reviewed updates to the town's sewer agreement with Department of Public Works Superintendent Gary Kellaher.